Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are sources of appropriate funding for persons on long-term illness benefit studying part-time degree courses, since, as it stands, persons on long-term illness benefit may only receive a back-to-education allowance or a Student Universal Support Ireland grant if they are studying a full-time course. [42419/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under the Student Grant Scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. In order to be considered for a grant a student is required, under Section 8 (1) (b) of the Student Support Act 2011, to be pursuing a full-time course. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student grant scheme to part-time courses, in the State or in another EU Member State. Tax relief is available for fees for part-time courses. Full details of this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.